Real-time communication link with a cargo handling system

Abstract

A communication network configured for connection with a cargo handling system and a third party is disclosed. In various embodiments, the communication network includes a first processor; a first communication link connecting the first processor to the cargo handling system, the cargo handling system including a plurality of sensing agents configured to monitor a status of a cargo load; and a second communication link connecting the first processor to the third party, where the first processor is configured to receive a first load status data from the cargo handling system over the first communication link and to transmit a second load status data to the third party over the second communication link.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A communication network configured for connection with a cargo handling system and a third party, comprising:
 a first processor;   a first communication link connecting the first processor to the cargo handling system, the cargo handling system including a plurality of sensing agents configured to monitor a status of a cargo load; and   a second communication link connecting the first processor to the third party;
 wherein the first processor is configured to receive a first load status data from the cargo handling system over the first communication link and to transmit a second load status data to the third party over the second communication link. 
   
     
     
         2 . The communication network of  claim 1 , wherein the first processor is configured to analyze the first load status data and to generate the second load status data. 
     
     
         3 . The communication network of  claim 2 , wherein the second load status data is representative of the status of the cargo load. 
     
     
         4 . The communication network of  claim 3 , wherein the status of the cargo load is a visual representation of the cargo load. 
     
     
         5 . The communication network of  claim 3 , wherein the status of the cargo load represents one or more of a pressure measurement, a temperature measurement or a humidity measurement within an aircraft envelope that surrounds the cargo load. 
     
     
         6 . The communication network of  claim 1 , further comprising a second processor and a third communication link connecting the second processor to the cargo handling system, the second processor configured to receive a system status data from the cargo handling system. 
     
     
         7 . The communication network of  claim 6 , wherein the second processor is configured to analyze the system status data and to generate a system status signal that indicates a fault within the cargo handling system. 
     
     
         8 . The communication network of  claim 7 , wherein the second processor is configured to transmit a system update to the cargo handling system. 
     
     
         9 . The communication network of  claim 8 , wherein the second processor is configured to transmit the system update to the cargo handling system over the third communication link. 
     
     
         10 . The communication network of  claim 6 , further comprising a fourth communication link configured to transmit control signals to the cargo handling system from an auxiliary control unit. 
     
     
         11 . The communication network of  claim 10 , wherein the auxiliary control unit is configured to receive the system status data over the fourth communication link. 
     
     
         12 . The communication network of  claim 10 , wherein the auxiliary control unit is configured to override a system controller configured to operate the cargo handling system. 
     
     
         13 . A method of communicating information between a cargo handling system and a third party, comprising:
 connecting a first processor to the cargo handling system via a first communication link, the cargo handling system including a plurality of sensing agents configured to monitor a status of a cargo load;   receiving a first load status data over the first communication link, the first load status data generated by the plurality of sensing agents;   connecting the first processor to the third party via a second communication link; and   transmitting a second load status data to the third party over the second communication link, the second load status data being representative of the status of the cargo load.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising analyzing the first load status data by the first processor to generate the second load status data. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the status of the cargo load is a visual representation of the cargo load. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the status of the cargo load represents one or more of a pressure measurement, a temperature measurement or a humidity measurement within an aircraft envelope that surrounds the cargo load. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising connecting a second processor to the cargo handling system via a third communication link and receiving by the second processor a system status data from the cargo handling system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising analyzing the system status data and generating a system status signal in an event of a fault within the cargo handling system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising transmitting a system update over the third communication link to the cargo handling system. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising transmitting a control signal over a fourth communication link to the cargo handling system from an auxiliary control unit and receiving the system status data over the fourth communication link.